Can a state court refuse to grant a continuance of a motion for a writ of habeas corpus?

On a petition for a writ of habeas corpus the district court agreed with the state court. The court acknowledged a constitutional right to chosen counsel, but noted that it can be "forced to yield ... when it will result ... in a disruption of the orderly processes of justice unreasonable under the circumstances," citing People v. Courts, 37 Cal.3d 784, 790, 210 Cal.Rptr. 193, 196, 693 P.2d 778, 781 (1985). Finding the continuance request to be unreasonable under the circumstances, the court denied the appellant's habeas petition. Strickland appeals.